Dubin 1996.

Methods	Allocation: randomised ‐ randomisation table. Blinding: double ‐ identical ampules, staff administering medication not blinded, assessors blind. Duration: 6 days ‐ preceded by 24h washout (only data from first 72 hours used). Setting: single centre.
Participants	Diagnosis: schizophrenia (52), bipolar manic (9) (DSM‐III). N=61. Age: mean ˜ 35 years, range 18‐65. Sex: ˜27 M, ˜31 F. Inclusion : BPRS score of 6/7 in >2 prespecified symptom categories. History: admitted as psychiatric emergency, healthy, drug sensitivity, not pregnant or lactating, no co‐existing mental illness.
Interventions	1. Loxapine: dose mean 75.5 mg/day IM, range 25‐175 mg/day IM. N=30. 2. Thiothixene: dose mean 31 mg/day IM, range 20‐60 mg/day IM, N=31. IM for first 24 hours, then oral. IM injections every 30 minutes as needed, until BPRS reduced or sedation occurred. Chloral hydrate, trihexyphenidyl/benztropine as required.
Outcomes	Global effect (sedation, requiring further injections). Dropped from study. Unable to use ‐ Global effect: CGI (no data). Mental state: BPRS (no SD). Side effects: (only data for 5 day oral phase available). Physiological measures: BP, pulse (no data).
Notes
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Low risk	A ‐ Adequate